10 Door Lock Replacement Tips All Experts Recommend
Door Lock Replacement – What You Need to Know It's a good idea you to replace your locks when they start to display signs of being worn out. These signs can include things like having trouble turning the lock or the lock not fitting a key. fit. Fortunately, putting in new hardware for your door is actually quite simple. It is all you need to do is follow these simple steps. grays door locks replacement is the primary security for your door against forced entry. It's stronger and more secure than the latch that operates the lock, therefore you should ensure that your new deadbolt is sturdy enough to meet your requirements. If possible, look for deadbolts that are made of case hardened steel and no screw heads that are exposed on the outside to prevent unintentional drilling. To enhance security, the interior side of the deadbolt should be drilled into the door frame. During installation, be sure that the bolt of the new deadbolt slides smoothly through the strike plate while you shut and lock the doors. If not, you can mortise the bolt in the strike plate using a wood chisel and then install the deadbolt. Make sure the doorknob's latch meets the deadbolt hole when you close and lock the door, too. Before installing your new deadbolt, make sure that it is the same size of the old one. The majority of door locks include an example of how far the bolt should be above the doorknob. However, it is always best to consult an expert in hardware if you are unsure what backset size you require for your doors. They will be able point you to models that will work with the doors and existing deadbolt opening. Screw the bolt assembly into the door hole, after making sure it's the right length. Screw the faceplate of the latch into place if your new deadbolt is equipped with one. It's also a good idea to attach the faceplate with the recommended screws to the frame. Certain lock sets have an attractive or “dummy” bolt, which allows you to use the keyed-deadbolt, while having an operational latch. If you're able to use this feature, the dummy bolt should be installed using the same screws as your latch faceplate, and it's important that the two fit together properly for maximum security. Some deadbolts can only be opened by thumb-turn from the inside some have two cylinders that allow both keyed and unkeyed access. It is recommended to select an item that is commercial grade to ensure maximum security. They are usually tested to withstand 250,000 cycles of opening and closing before being sold to homeowners. Latch The latch is the component of the lock that retracts the bolt to open and close the door. It's usually secured by screws on the side of the lock, however it could also be fixed to the strike plate or the inside of the door jamb. It is essential to replace the door latch with the correct one for your existing hardware. You can test this by putting the latch up to your existing hardware or look at the label of the replacement. Dunn Lumber carries a variety of brands, but it's generally best to choose the same brand of your existing hardware to ensure you receive a latch that will fit perfectly. Some doors have a hasp instead of a latch. A hasp consists of an elastic strap with a slot punched into it that can be placed over the staple. The staple is then fixed to the door frame or door with a nail. When the door is closed and the strap is pulled, it is pulled down and locks it in position. A hasp is typically used in commercial buildings because it's cheaper than a deadbolt. Like any mechanism that has moving parts, locks can wear out from frequent use over time. Sometimes the internal mechanism will start to “stick” and become difficult to turn, requiring to replace the entire lockset. Other times the exterior doorknob or handle will simply break, making it necessary to replace it too. If your lock is stuck, apply some graphite to the keyhole. You can either spray it on the key or sprinkle it onto the interior side of the lock. Then use the lock a few times to work the graphite into the mechanism. You can also employ a screwdriver for the removal of the knob, which will reveal the interior components and allow you to observe what's going on inside the. After taking the knobs off then tighten the two or three setscrews at the edges of the cylinder by turning them clockwise. You should also remove the faceplate and replace it. Surface-mounted rimlocks come with an additional set of cylinder setscrews on the back case that must be removed, as well as the faceplate. Strike Plate The strike plate, connected to the door frame above the holes that accommodate the deadbolt or master key system bolt, reinforces and enhances the locking mechanism. It helps keep intruders out by ensuring that the latch of the lock is secured in the strike plate when the latch or bolt is engaged. In addition to increasing security, a top-quality strike plate can also increase the durability of the lock. Standard strike plates are flat metal plates with holes, or several holes cut into them. It is affixed to the door frame, usually with screws, to give the latch something to sink into as it closes. The strike plate has to be precisely aligned with the lockset to ensure maximum protection against burglaries. If the strike plate of the door is damaged, you should replace it as soon as possible. This will ensure that the door will latch and close correctly. The first step in replacing a strike plate is to make sure that it is properly aligned with the bolt hole in the doorjamb. One way to check this is to put a piece of tape in the bolt hole. Then, test the latch by closing and opening the door. If the latch does not catch, remove the tape. Then, chisel the hole to create a aligned with the doorjamb. After the area is removed, it is important to use a more powerful screw to anchor the strike plate. The screws should be at minimum three inches long to ensure they are securely fixed to a stud in the trim board. If you do not install the longer screws, the wood in the doorjamb could break during a robbery attack by a burglar and leave the door vulnerable. A professional locksmith can swiftly replace the strike plate that has been damaged or worn out. They can also install the new strike plate onto the door that hasn't had one before. Additionally, they could upgrade existing strike plates to enhance the security of a building and enhance its aesthetics. This could aid property owners in attracting tenants who want a safer living environment and more peace of mind. Keys The key cylinder is the part of your lock that accepts a specific key to move pins into place so that the inner handle can be turned. The key cylinder is the most crucial element of your door lock as it performs the purpose that locks were made for – to protect you, your family members, and your possessions. This is the reason that people often prefer to have their locks reset rather than replaced. The process of replacing a lock is more complex than simply replacing the existing deadbolt or handle lock. The old hardware, cylinder and handle (if you have a knob and lock combination) must be removed from the door before the new lock is installed. While there are a number of DIY-friendly tools that can be used to replace a lock on your own however, it is recommended you speak with a professional locksmith to ensure the job is done properly. Before you can install the new cylinder and lock it is crucial to have the right key for your home. A key that is a duplicate won't work and could even cause the lock to fail completely, rendering it impossible to open. A professional with experience can assist you in avoiding this by making sure you have a genuine, functional key for your home. The next step is to remove the faceplate, then the latch plate. You will require a screwdriver for the removal of the screws that hold them in place. You might want to leave them in place if new plates are identical to the original ones. This will help you save time. If you are required to replace them, don't overtighten screws, as this can cause them to lose their grip. After removing the plates, you will need to determine the measurements for your new locks. Although many modern locksets will fit a standard thickness of door, it is important to know the dimensions of your door in advance to avoid frustration when you visit the hardware store. Doorknob locksets tend to be different sizes than deadbolt locks and commercial models may come with a larger bolt or latch.